tanneb



Sept. 6, 1932. TANNER 7 1,876,476

I SPEED RESPONSIVE CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May 14, 1820 3 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNEYJ'.

l 6, 1932- H, TANNER 1,876,476

SPEED RESPONSIVE CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May 14. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W #JFZZL I v BY ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 6, 1932. fi- 1,876,476

SPEED RESPONSIVE CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May 14, 19,20 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 W JNVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY L. TANNER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK; THE NATIONAL CITY BANK OF NEW YORK, EXECUTOB OF THE ESTATE OF SAID HARRY L. TANNER, DECEASED SPEED-RESPONSIVE CONTROLLING- DEVICE Application nleil Ray 14, 1920. Serial No. 381,354.

This invention relates to means governed by two rotatable elements, one of which is adapted to drive the other, to be operated automatically when one of said elements substantially attains the speed or angular velocity of the other.

While my invention is capable of broad application some of its primary objects and advantages may best be understood by considering a specific application thereof. It has been proposed to drive a power shaft by means of a prime mover by means of the following system. An electric generator is me chanically driven or actuated by the prime mover and is adapted, through suitable controlling connections, to supply electrical energy to an electric motor mechanically connected to drive the power shaft. The generator shaft and the motor shaft are substantially aligned and adapted to be directly coupled or connected at a one-to-one drive ratio by means of what may be termed a coupling device. This coupling device may assume various forms. For example, it may be a mechanical clutch of the interlocking or quasi-interlocking type or an electro-magnetic torque-applying device of the type disclosed in my copending application, Ser. No. 318,869, filed Aug. 21, 1919; patented Feb. 5, 1929, No. 1.7 00,7 80. In the operation of such a system the power shaft is driven at low speeds and brought up to a comparatively.

high speed by generator-motor drive, the coupling device being at this time inoperative. If it is desired to drive through the generator and motor shafts at a substantially or exactly one-to-one ratio the coupling device is rendered operative. If a coupling device of'any of the types specifically referred to above is employed, it is important and per-. haps essential that the generator and motor shafts be rotating at substantially the same angular velocity at the time the coupling device is rendered operative. It will be found that the herein disclosed invention is admirably adapted to perform this function. Other uses and advantages of my invention will be obvious in view of the following disclosure.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate what I now consider invention:

Fig. 1 1s a sectional elevation of one form a of controlling device embodying my invention, certain parts being bro en away.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of of a system embodying my invention.

Fig. 3 is a. view similar to the left hand part of Fig. 1, but illustrating a modification.

Fig. 4 is a detail section on the line 4=4 of Fig. 3. t

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the position of a controller adapted to be actuated by the rod 6 shown in Fig. 3, the controller being shown in the position it occupies when rod 6 is in its right hand position.

Calling attention to Fig. 1, I shall refer to the element 1 as the driving element and the element 2 as the driven element or power shaft. The elements 1 and 2 are mounted for independent rotation about the axis AA in suitable journals (not shown) and it will be noted that the elements 1 and 2 telescope to a certain extent. The element 1 is shown terminating at one end in a hub or housing 3 provided with a flange 4 adapted to be secured to a device for driving the same. The shaft 2 is provided with a substantially axial bore 5 through which a rod or shaft 6 extends,

preferred forms of my the said rod 6 terminating in an arm 7 which 2 but said elements 2 and 6 are constrained against relative rotation. The arm 7 is secured to an annulus 9 which surrounds the shaft 2 and is longitudinally slidable thereon. While other forms of controllers may be employed I have shown a switch or electrical controller governed by the' rod 6. This controller comprises a bell crank lever pivoted at 1-0 on any suitable fixed support. One arm 11 may be provided with a roller 12 biased to engagement with the annulus 9 by means of a spring 13. The other arm 14 of the bellcrank is out of electrical engagement with the contact segment 15 when the rod 6 occupies electrically to engage .said segment when the rod 6is moved toits other position in the manner hereinafter described. Means are provided for automatically moving the rod 6 to the left as viewed in Fig. 1, when the angular velocity or speed of the shaft 2 exceeds the speed of the element 1. One form of such means is illustrated in Fig. 1 and may be constructed substantially as follows:

The rod 6 has rigidly connected thereto a screw 16 which cooperates with a nut 17 having the section illustrated in Fig. 1 and being in the form of a solid of revolution. The hub 3 is provided with an internal annular flange 18 to which a retaining ring 19 is secured by screws 20, and the peripheral portion of the nut 17 extends into the annular groove formed between said flange 18 and ring 19. If desirable a friction washer or pad 21 may be provided between the nut 17 and flange 18. Shoulders 22, 23 may be provided on the nut 16 to limit its axial or longitudinal movement with respect to the nut 17.

The operation of my invention as thus far disclosed may be described as follows: Assume that the element 1 is being rotated in the direction of the arrow and that the shaft 2 is being driven in the same direction but at a slower angular velocity or speed. The parts then occupy the position shown in Fig. 1 and the nut 17 slips withrespect to flange 18. However, as soon as the speed of the shaft 2 exceeds that of the element 1, the frictional drag of the flange 18 on the nut 17 causes the latter to lag behind the screw 16. The screw 16 then screws into the nut 17 and moves to the left until the shoulder 23 abuts the said nut. The rod 6 and annulus 9 move to the left together with the screw 16 and the controller arm 14 moves into electrical contact with the segment 15. The parts 16, 6, 9 and 14 occupy this last described position until the angular velocity of the element 1 again exceeds that of the shaft 2, in which event the following operation takes place. The nut 17 is frictionally dragged around by the flange 18 at a speed greater than that of the screw 16, thus causing the latter to move to the right until the shoulder 22 engages the nut 17 and the parts 16, 6, 9 and 14 then occupy the position shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 2, which illustrates somewhat diagrammatically one of the many possible systems embodying the invention, the

. elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15 will at once be recognized in view of the preceding description. The driving element 1 is mechanically connected to the shaft 25 of an electrical generator 26 which may in turn be rotated by a prime mover or other suitable motive means. The shaft 2 forms, or is connected to, the shaft of an electric motor-27, it being intended that the shaft 2 shall be employed as a propeller shaft or otherwise deliver mechanical power. The generator is adapted to supply electrical energy to the motor 27 through a controller 28 and conductors 29, the design being such that the motor may not only be stopped or started at will but so that the shaft 2 may be driven at various speeds below that of element 1 (or 25) and at, at least, one speed in excess of that of said element 1.

The element 1 has connected thereto one member 31 of an electromagnetically-operated or electromagnetically-energized coupling device. The other member 32 of said coupling device is connected to the shaft 2. The specific details of the coupling device 31, 32 need not be set forth. Suffice it to say that said coupling device, when supplied with current through the slip rings 33, forms preferably a one-to-one direct drive connection between the element 1 and shaft 2, and when said slip rings are dead, or not supplied with current, the elements 1 and 2 are free for relative rotation so far as the coupling device is concerned. Vhen the manually operable arm 35 of the controller 28 is moved to the position for causing the speed of the shaft 2 to exceed that of the element 1 (when both of said elements 1 and 2 are rotating in the same direction) the arm 35 engages a contact segment 36, thereby forming a switch 35, 36 employed to control the coupling device. It will be noted that the segment 15 is electrically connected to one of the slip rings 33, the other of which is electrically connected to one pole or terminal of a suitable source of E. M. F. 37, the other terminal of said source being connected to the arm 14. The operation of the system shown in Fig. 2 will be understood in view of the following description.

Assuming that the generator 26 is being driven and the shaft 2 at rest, the latter may be operated at various speeds by proper manipulation of the controller 28. For all speed ratios in which the speed of the element 1 exceeds that of the shaft 2 (which rotates in the same direction) the switch 14.15 is open so that the coupling device 31, 32 is idle. \Vhen the arm 35 is moved to a position in which it causes the speed of the shaft 2 to exceed, even slightly, that of the element 1, the arm 14 moves into engagement with the segment 15. As the switch 35-36 is closed. in this controller position, closure of the controller 14:15 causes the coupling device to become operative and establish a direct drive connection between element 1 and shaft 2. lf desirable the arm 35 may now be moved further, but not out of contact with the segment 36, to break the electrical connections between the generator 26 and motor 27. In certain cases the switch 35 and 36 may be dispensed with. Y

I wish to emphasize the fact that the device shown in detail in Fig. 1 may be designed to be and preferably is quickly responsive to a member 40 exceeds very slight excess of speed of shaft 2 over that of the'element 1. In other words, and speaking from a'' practical standpoint, the coupling device is called into action when the speed of the shaft 2 reaches a value substantially equal to thatof the element 1. This feature is especially important where the coupling device is of the mechanical Interlocking or quasi-interlocking clutch type as damage to the clutch parts is avoided. It is also of importance when a coupling device of the type disclosed in my herein referred to copending application is employed. In making the last statementI refer'to a coupling device in the form of an electromagnetictorque-applying device.

The device illustrated in Fig. 1 is not only capable of other uses than that above described but is in itself susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. One of the possible modifications is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 in which the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18 and 20 will be rec0gnized in view of the foregoing description. The chief difference between this form of the invention and that first described lies in the means for effecting lon itudinal or axial movement of the control er-actuating rod 6 which is constructed substantially as follows.-

The rod 6 has secured thereto a cam member 40 having a plurality of cut-out portions 41 each containing a ball or sphere 45 of metal or other suitable material. The balls are retained in place by the retaining disc 42 and the housing 3.; It will be noted (see Fig. 4) that each of the cut-out portions 41 is widest at the end which leads in the normal direction of rotation of the parts, which direction is indicated by the arrows in Figs. 3 and 4. The cut-out portions taper or become narrower toward the other ends. Bearing in mind that the parts 1 and 2 are adapted to be connected to mechanism such as that shown in the right hand part of Fig. 1 the operation of the invention modified as shown in Fig. 3 is substantially as follows:

So lon as the element 1 is rotating at a speed hig er than that of the shaft 2 the parts occupy the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in WhlCll the rod 6 is in its left-hand position. When the speed of the shaft 2 exceeds that of the element 1, and consequently the speed of that of the disc 42, the balls 45 move into the narrower portions of recesses 41 and force the rod. 6 to the right. The rod 6 will be maintained in its right-hand position until the speed of the element 1 again exceeds that of the shaft 2 in which event the spring 13 will restore the parts to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It will be understood of course that if the last described modification is to be employed in tile system shown in Fig. 2 the position of te se interc anged as shown in Fig. 5.

which, however,

ment 15 and insulation 55 should be- In conformance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have illustrated what I now consider preferred forms of my invention. Obviously the invention is susceptible to modification other than that illustrated. For example, a purely mechanical controller may be actuated by the rod 6, to control or operate a purely mechanical clutch. To avoid surplusage I have avoided specific illustration of such additional modifications are clearly covered in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a rotatable driving element, a rotatable driven element, a device for operatively coupling said' elements, and

means controlled by relative rotation of said elements for causingsaid device to become operative when the driven element attains an angular velocity substantially equal to that of the driving'element, said last mentioned means comprising a pair'of relatively rotatable members, one driven by said driving element and the other by said driven element. and means controlled by the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements for causiig relative axial movement of said memrs. 2. In combination, a rotatable driving ele ment, a rotatable driven element, an electromagnetically-controlled coupling device adapted to form a drive connection between said elements, and means, comprising an electric circuit controlling device controlled by the relative speed ofsaid elements, for causing said coupling device to become operative when the driven element attains a speed substantially equal to that of the driving element.

3. In combination, a rotatable driving element, a rotatable driven element, a device for operatively coupling said elements, and means comprising an electric circuit-controller controlled by relative rotation of said elements for causing said device to become operative when the driven element attains a velocity substantially equal to that of the driving element. I

4. In combination, a rotatable driving element adapted to be connected to a source of power to be driven thereby, a rotatable driven element and means for driving the same. an electromagnetically-controlled coupling device'adapted to form a drive connection between said elements, and means, comprising an electric circuit-controlling device controlled by the relative speed of said elements. for causing said coupling device to become operative when the driven clement attains a speed substantially equal to that of the driving element. 1

5. In combination, a rotatable driving element, an electric generator connected to said driving element, a rotatable driven element.

an electric motor connected to said driven ele ment, means for supplying electrical energy from said generator to said motor to drive the latter, a coupling device interposed between said generator and motor for causing said driving element to drive said driven element, and means controlled by the relative angular velocities of said elements for preventing said device from becoming operative so long as the velocity of said driving element exceeds that of said driven element.

6. The combination recited in claim 5 in which the means last mentioned comprise a pair of relatively rotatable members, one driven by said driving element and the other by said driven element, and means controlled by the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements for causing relative axial movement of said members.

7. In combination, a rotatable driving element, a rotatable driven element, a device for operatively coupling said elements, and means controlled by relative rotation of said elements for causing said device to become operative when the driven element attains an angular velocity substantially equal to but slightly in excess of that of the driving clement, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of co-axial relatively rotatable members, one operatively connected to and rotatable with said driving element and the other operatively connected to and rotatable with said driven element, .and means interposed between said members and controlled by the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements for causing relative axial movement of said members.

8. In an electric transmission system for automotive vehicles, the combination with a prime mover, 01. a generator connected therewith, a driven element, a motor coupled thereto and electrically connected with said generator, and means controlled by the relative speed of said prime mover and driven element for coupling said driven element to said prime mover.

9. In a variable speed transmission system for automotive vehicles, the combination with a driving member, of a generator connected therewith, a driven member, amoto'r coupled thereto and adapted to be driven from said generator, means for coupling said driving and driven members together, and means controlled by said driving and driven members for bringing said coupling means into action when the speeds approach equality.

10. In an electric transmission system for automotive vehicles, the combination with a driving member, of a generator connected therewith, a driven member, a motor coupled thereto and electrically connected with said generator, means for varying the speed of said motor, means for coupling said driving and driven elements together, and means primarily independent of any particular point in the operation of the means for varying the speed of the motor and controlled directly by the relative speed of the driving and driven members for calling the coupling means into action.

11. In an electric transmission system for automotive Vehicles, the combination with a prime mover, of a generator connected therewith, a driven member, a motor coupled thereto and electrically connected with" said generator, a clutch between said prime mover and said driven member, and means independent of variations in the current and voltage of the transmission system and controlled directly by the relative speed of said driven member and prime mover for operating said clutch.

12. In an electric transmission system for automotive vehicles, the combination with a prime mover, of a generator connected therewith, a driven member, a motor coupled thereto and electrically connected with said generator, a clutch for coupling said driven member to said prime mover, means including a controller for operating said clutch and means controlled by the relative speed of said prime mover and driven member for actuating said controller.

13. The combination with a prime mover,

of a generator driven thereby, a motor operatively connected with the generator, a driven member actuated by the motor. a clutch for coupling said driven member to said prime mover, means movable to a position for calling said clutch into action, and means driven differentially by said prime mover and said driven member for operating said first named means when the speeds of said prime mover and driven member become substantially equal.

14. In combination with an automotive vehicle, a prime mover, a generator driven thereby, a motor adapted to be driven from said generator, a driven member actuated by said motor, a clutch for coupling said driven member to said prime mover, a movable member driven difierentially from said prime mover and said driven member, and means connected with said movable member for calling said clutch into action upon change in the direction of movement of said movable member.

15. In combination, a prime mover, a generator driven thereby, a-motor operativclv connected with said generator. a driven element actuated by said motor. a controller for varying the speed of said motor, a clutch for coupling said driven element to said prime mover, means governed by the relative speed of the driven element and prime mover for calling said clutch into action, and means operable by movement of the controller in a given direction for throwing said clutch out of action.

16. In a transmission system for antomo tive vehicles, the combination with the power source and the running gear, of variable being excited from' said contact member speed means between said power source and when the latter is in said second position.

gear for acceleratin the vehicle, an alternative straight-throng connection between said power source and gear, and means brought into action when the speed of the gear passes that of the power source for throwing said straight-through connection in. a.

' 17. In a transmission system for automotive vehicles, the combination with the power source and the running gear, of variable speed means between said power source and gear for accelerating the vehicle, a' clutch directly connecting said source and gear, and means brought into action when the relative speeds of said source and gear approach a definite relationship for throwing in said clutch.

18. In an electric transmission system for automotive vehicles, the combination with a prime m ver, of a enerator connected therewith, a driven e ement, a motor coupled thereto and electrically connected with said generator, automatic means controlled by the relative speed of said prime mover and driven element for coupling said driven element to said prime mover, and means contr ollable at will for uncoupling said prime mover and driven element.

of the driven element and prime mover for 19. Incombination, a prime mover, a generator driven thereby, a motor operatively connected with said generator, a driven element actuated by said motor, a controller for varying the speed of said motor, a clutch for coupling said driven element to said prime mover, means governed by the relative speed calling said clutch into action, and means operable by a return movement of the controller toward neutral for throwing said clutch out of action. I

20. In a variable speed transmission system for automotive vehicles, thecombination with a drivin member, of a generator connected therewith, a driven member, a motor coupled thereto and ada ted to be driven from said generator, means or coupling said nected therewith, a driven member, a motor coupled thereto and adapted to be driven from said generator, means for coupling said driving and driven members together, differential means driven by said drivingand driven members, a contact member connected thereto to be maintained in one position as long as the speed of the driving member remalns the greater and'to be thrown into a second osition as the speed of the driven member ecomes the greater, said coupling means In testimon signature.

y whereof I, hereto aflix my HARRY L. TANNER. 

